MWRD and partners break ground on Arrowhead Lake flood control projectWork to provide Palos Heights residents relief and Forest Preserve improvements

For immediate release May 1, 2019

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago

Press ReleaseAllison ForePublic and Intergovernmental Affairs Officer 312.751.6626allison.fore@mwrd.org100 East Erie Street, Chicago, Illinois 60611

(L-R): Cook County Forest Preserves General Superintendent Arnold Ran-dall; MWRD Commissioner Cam Davis; Palos Heights Mayor Robert Straz; MWRD Chairman of Finance Frank Avila; MWRD President Kari K. Steele; MWRD Vice President Barbara McGowan; MWRD Commissioner Kim Du Buclet; MWRD Commissioner Debra Shore; and MWRD Executive Director Brian Perkovich prepare to break ground.

MWRD President Kari K. Steele addresses the public and media at the Arrowhead Lake Reservoir groundbreaking ceremony on April 30, 2019.

The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Great-er Chicago (MWRD) and its partners officially broke ground on a $1.6 million flood control project that will bring much needed relief for area residents, while restor-ing and improving forest preserve amenities at Arrow-head Lake.

Officials from the MWRD, City of Palos Heights and Forest Preserves of Cook County (FPCC) gathered to formally kick off the Arrowhead Lake project, 7016 W. 135th St., in the Forest Preserves. The project will in-crease flood storage and remove 70 structures from the FEMA Zone A flood plain in Palos Heights, where flood insurance is mandatory due to the area being in-undated by a 1-percent-annual-chance of a flood event.

“This project demonstrates our commitment to protect-ing communities from flooding and reminds us of the battle we face in alleviating residents’ concerns each time we experience intense rain storms,” said MWRD Presi-

dent Kari K. Steele. “Thanks to the collaboration with our partners at the Cook County Forest Preserves, the city of Palos Heights and the Cal-Sag Watershed Plan-ning Council, we will now have protection from flooding as well as new trails and an improved forest preserve to attract visitors to beautiful Arrowhead Lake.”

“It’s only fitting that it’s raining today – this is exactly why stormwater management projects are important – wet weather events are growing in number and intensity, so this project, which has been a long time coming, will help a lot of people,” said MWRD Vice President Bar-bara McGowan.

As part of the project, the existing dam and outlet culvert will be demolished and replaced with a new concrete dam, outlet culvert and spillway. (continued)

MWRD and partners break ground on Arrowhead Lake project, cont.

Established in 1889, the MWRD (www.mwrd.org) is an award winning, special purpose government agency responsible for wastewater treatment and stormwater management in Cook County, Illinois.

Recovering Resources, Transforming Water

# # #

Approximately 2,675 feet of a multi-use pedestrian path will also be resurfaced with new asphalt and an eroded bank at the south side of Arrowhead Lake will be regraded and restored with native seed, plant plugs and trees.

“This will be a flood control and recreation project that benefits both neighbors and Forest Preserve users. We’re pleased to be working in a partnership that will continue to improve the amenities for the local community and all residents of Cook County,” said FPCC General Super-intendent Arnold Randall.

Pedestrian access to the FPCC trail system will be maintained during construction through a series of temporary bypass trails. Work is expected to be com-pleted by late 2019.

“This is a great example of numerous agencies work-ing together for the good of the residents,” said Palos Heights Mayor Robert Straz.

Long-term maintenance responsibilities for the site have been defined through an intergovernmental agree-

ment between the MWRD, FPCC and Palos Heights.

“I’d like to thank MWRD and President Kari K. Steele, the city of Palos Heights, and the Cook County For-est Preserves for addressing flooding issues that affect my constituents,” said 35th District State Representative Fran Hurley. “This exciting project is the result of agen-cies working together to find solutions.”

MWRD Commissioners, the Forest Preserves of Cook County, representatives from the city of Palos Heights and area neighbors participate in yesterday’s ground-breaking ceremony.